A former councillor has been convicted of stalking senior Conservative MP Dame Penny Mordaunt following a trial at Southampton Crown Court.
The Verdict and Charges
Edward Brandt, aged 61, was found guilty of stalking the MP for Portsmouth North. The jury reached its decision by a majority of 10 to two. However, Brandt was cleared of a more severe charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
The court heard how Brandt engaged in a persistent campaign of unwanted contact towards the high-profile politician.
A Campaign of Unwanted Contact
Over an eight-month period, spanning from September 2023 to May 2024, Brandt sent a significant volume of communications. The evidence presented showed he dispatched at least 17 emails and three phone messages to Ms Mordaunt.
His actions escalated beyond digital communication when he physically turned up at her constituency office in Portsmouth outside of normal operating hours.
Impact on the Victim
Dame Penny Mordaunt provided a victim impact statement to the court, describing the profound effect Brandt's behaviour had on her. She testified that she feared 'sexual violence' and characterised his actions as 'creepy'.
The MP stated she genuinely believed Brandt represented a 'real threat' to her safety and wellbeing during the period of his actions.
In his defence, Brandt claimed that his motivations were purely political and not personal. The court, however, found him guilty of the stalking offence.
The judge has ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Edward Brandt is now scheduled to be sentenced on 16 January.
